Safety device for a vehicle with a steering system and corresponding safety method

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a safety means for a vehicle with a steering with reference to which a load absorbing means for an impact of the driver&#39;s knees in the case of an accident is arranged, wherein the load absorbing means for an impact of the knees include a load absorbing sheet which in the case of an accident can be adjusted towards the driver&#39;s knees into an or in the direction towards an effective position. Furthermore, the invention refers to a safety method for a vehicle with a steering with reference to which a load absorbing means for an impact of the driver&#39;s knees in the case of an accident is adjusted towards the driver&#39;s knees, wherein a load absorbing sheet is adjusted towards the driver&#39;s knees in the case of an accident.

[0001] The invention generally relates to a safety means for a vehicle with a steering according to the preamble of claim 1 as well as a safety method according to the preamble of claim 15.

[0002] In practise, in the diving in region of a driver's thighs in the lower dash board in motor vehicles load absorbing elements are located which deform over a distance in the case of an accident or crash and thereby reduce load peaks by absorbing energy. For the same purpose in this field air bags have also become known from the practise.

[0003] Therewith, however, not yet particularly good protection for the driver has been achieved in an accident.

[0004] Therefore, the invention has the object to create such a safety means for a vehicle with a steering to protect therewith the leg region and especially a driver's thigh region in an accident to a large extend.

[0005] This object is achieved by a safety means according to claim 1 as well as a safety method according to claim 15.

[0006] Thus, according to the invention a safety means for a vehicle with a steering is provided with regard to which a load absorbing means for an impact of knee of a driver in the case of an accident is arranged. Therein, it is further provided that said load absorbing means for an impact of the knee includes a load absorbing sheet which is adjustable towards the driver's knees into an or in the direction towards an effecting position in the case of an accident.

[0007] Therewith, it is achieved in a simple and especially effective manner that the driver's knee is intercepted and thereby his legs are protected.

[0008] With preference it is further provided therewith that the load absorbing sheet is supported in its effecting or effective position via at least one load absorbing element with regard to the steering. Thereby, on the one hand a maximum legroom for the driver in the normal operation of the vehicle, i.e., without an accident situation, is achieved, and on the other hand an optimum absorbing distance for the impact of the knee is provided in the case of an accident.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a load absorbing element is formed by an air bag. It is true that the use of an air bag alone in this region is already known, as already stated above, however, only the use of the air bag leads to the adjustment of the load absorbing sheet and as load absorbing element in combination with the load absorbing sheet to a good solution for the protection of the driver's legs. The air bag alone is suitable to intercept and absorb the movement of the driver's leg, however, only the “point of impact” or “diving in point” of the driver's knee at the air bag is used. The combination of the air bag with the load absorbing sheet, apart from the simple adjustment of the latter, enables a better usage of the absorbing properties of the air bag independently of the “point of impact” of the driver's knee and, furthermore, the use of a smaller air bag what additionally has the consequence that the air bag is inflated and provided more quickly.

[0010] On the whole, it is preferred in the scope of the invention if the load absorbing sheet with the air bag is adjusted in the case of an accident in position towards the driver's knees in such a way that more crash absorbency distance is generated.

[0011] A further preferred and advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the air bag includes a load restriction. The load restriction preferably includes a load limiting valve through which the gas is released from the inflating or inflated air bag in dependence of a load.

[0012] Another preferred variant of the invention provides that the load absorbing sheet can be swivelled towards the driver's knees into an or in the direction towards an effective position in the case of an accident by swivel lever means. The swivel lever means preferably include two or four or more swivel levers. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the swivel lever means are operated by means of a pyrotechnically activatable and/or drivable adjustment cylinder.

[0013] In combination with the above variant of the invention or verified in a different way, it is further preferred if at least one load absorbing element together with the load absorbing sheet with regard to the steering can be swivelled in position to the driver's knees into an or towards an effective position in the case of an accident in such a way that more crash absorbency distance is generated. A plurality of load absorbing elements is preferably provided and/or each load absorbing element includes a load restriction which can be formed especially for each load absorbing element by a reverse lock which is designed so that a load absorbing resistance is generated in case of a load caused by the knees due to an accident.

[0014] The load absorbing means for an impact of the driver's knees are preferably arranged at the steering and the load absorbing sheet in its position adjusted towards the driver's knees, given the case, is supported via the at least one load absorbing element at the steering.

[0015] The safety method according to the invention, for a vehicle with a steering with reference to which load absorbing means for an impact of the driver's knees is adjusted towards the driver's knees in the case of an accident, is designed in such a way that in the case of an accident a load absorbing sheet is moved towards the driver's knees.

[0016] The adjusted or set load absorbing sheet is preferably supported by at least one load absorbing element with reference to the steering.

[0017] In another variant of the method the load absorbing sheet is adjusted by means of an inflating air bag or swivel lever means whereby the load absorbing sheet is preferably adjusted by means of a pyrotechnically activatable and/or drivable adjustment cylinder.

[0018] As far as a load absorbing sheet is concretely named in the present document, therewith this component is not restricted to a metal material. This sheet-like load absorbency can easily be made of other materials as long as the durability for the given application is ensured what an ordinary person skilled in the art can easily detect or determine.

[0019] Two preferred alternatives of the invention are explained in the following.

[0020] Alternative 1:

[0021] Load absorbing elements connected with the load absorbing sheet or load distributor sheet are located in the lower dash board body in a space-saving manner in the normal operation of the vehicle, that means not in an accident situation. The load absorbing sheet is mounted on swivel levers and is moved into a position close to the driver's knees only at the beginning of an accident, which accident is detected with corresponding known sensors, together with the load absorbing elements by means of a pyrotechnically driven cylinder. In a further development thereof there, i.e. if the load absorbing sheet is in a position close to the driver's knees, locking load absorbing elements correspondingly predetermine a long load reduction distance which also applies to the space below the steering column.

[0022] Alternative 2:

[0023] The load absorbency is increased and evenly distributed by or onto an air bag on which the load absorbing sheet or load distribution sheet is arranged and adjusted in the case of an accident. The load peak is predetermined by the pressure in the air bag. Thereto, there is a pressure regulating valve which, e.g., has more gas released in the case of a higher load on the thighs.

[0024] In the following the invention will be explained in more detail based on exemplary embodiment examples with reference to the drawing, in which:

[0025]FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment example of the safety means according to the above alternative 1, and

[0026]FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment example of the safety means according to the above alternative 2.

[0027] Equal reference symbols in the individual figures and illustrations of the drawings refer to equal or similar or equally or similarly working components. Based on the illustrations in the drawing also such features become evident which do not have reference numerals independent on the fact if such features are subsequently described or not. On the other hand, also features which are included in the present description, but not visible or illustrated in the drawing are easily evident to the ordinary person skilled in the art.

[0028] In FIG. 1 a first embodiment example of safety means 100 is shown to illustrate its components in a side view. Load absorbing elements 2 are mounted to a steering column 1 and possibly also to a not illustrated dash board on the outside and right of the knee 4 in such a way that they are accommodated in an space-saving manner in a normal condition, i.e., if not accident is happening. At the other end the load absorbing elements 2 are connected to a load absorbing sheet 3 which covers as a form part the lower half of the dash board (not shown) and the steering column 1, and simultaneously absorbs and distributes the hitting load of the knee 4 in the case of an accident.

[0029] In the case of an accident the load absorbing sheet 3 is swivelled out by a pyrotechnic adjustment cylinder 5, by means of swivel levers 6 a and 6 b of a swivel lever means 6. The load absorbing elements 2 also swivel out and lock in their bearing 7 with a reverse lock 8 which simultaneously forms a load restriction 11. In the pyrotechnic adjustment cylinder 5 a cartridge 9 with a driving charge 15 is shown. The swivel lever 6 b is longer than the swivel lever 6 a so that the load absorbing sheet 3 in the region of the driver's shin 4 a is swivelled further to him than in the region of the knee 4. Thereby the load absorbing sheet 3 is moved to an optimum position to intercept the driver's front movement, e.g., in a collision, what leads together with the bent shape of the load absorbing sheet 3 to an optimum absorbency and deceleration of the driver's kinetic energy in an accident.

[0030] Now, in an accident the knees 4 can be decelerated via the load absorbing sheet 3 and by means of the load absorbing elements 2 deforming upon load over an essentially longer distance and therewith to a lower peak load level. Thereby the space under the steering column 1 is used as energy absorbing deformation way in an advantageous manner.

[0031] In FIG. 2 the above mentioned alternative 2 of the safety means 100 with its components is illustrated. In this variant of which an embodiment example is shown in FIG. 2 in a side view, an air bag 10 which moves the load absorbing sheet 3 in the direction to knee 4 in a crash and can absorb kinetic energy of the knee 4, is mounted between a steering column 1 and possibly an opposing plate mounted thereon (not shown) as moving element analogues to the adjustment cylinder 5 of the first alternative, and at the same time as load absorbing element 2. Furthermore, a load limiting valve 11 a exists herein which is in connection with the internal of the air bag 10. Depending on the applied load by the knees 4 a piston 12 moves against a spring 13 and opens therewith a gas release 14. Furthermore, this load limiting valve 11 a is therewith a load limitation 11 controlled by the impact speed and/or load of the knees 4. Furthermore, for the air bag 10 a cartridge 9 with a driving charge 15 is provided.

[0032] The load absorbing sheet 3 preferably has the shape shown in the figures of the drawing so that on the one hand a hitting knee 4 is intercepted or blocked and, given the case, the load absorbency can come into effect, and on the other hand the knee 4 is deduced by reducing the energy and protectingly.

[0033] The load absorbing sheet 3 is shown in FIG. 1 in an effective or effecting position A, and the resting position B of the load absorbing sheet 3 is drawn in dot-and-dash lines. In the FIG. 2 the load absorbing sheet 3 is in the resting position B. By positioning and shaping the air bag 10, the effective or working position of the load absorbing sheet 3 can be determined in the embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0034] The invention is illustrated based on the embodiment examples in the specification and in the drawings only by example and not restricted thereto but comprises all variations, modifications, substitutions and combinations which an ordinary person skilled in the art can derive from the present document, in particular in the scope of the claims and the general description in the introduction of this specification as well as the description of the embodiment examples and the illustration thereof in the drawing, and can combine with his expert knowledge as well as the prior art. In particular, all individual features and embodiment possibilities of the invention and the embodiment examples thereof can be combined. Reference symbols 1 steering column 2 load absorbing elements 3 sheet 4 knee 4a shin 5 pyrotechnic adjustment cylinder 6 swivel lever means 6a, 6b swivel levers 7 bearing 8 reverse lock 9 cartridge 10 air bag 11 load limitation 11a load limitting valve 12 piston 13 spring 14 gas release 15 driving charge 100 safety means 

1. Safety means for a vehicle with a steering with reference to which a load absorbing means for an impact of a driver's knee in the case of an accident is arranged, characterised in that the load absorbing means for an impact of the knee include a load absorbing sheet (3) which can be moved to the driver's knees (4) into an or in the direction towards an effective position (A) in the case of an accident.
 2. Safety means according to claim 1, characterised in that the load absorbing sheet (3) is supported in its effective position (A) via at least one load absorbing element (2) with reference to the steering (1).
 3. Safety means according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the load absorbing sheet (3) can be moved to the driver's knees (4) into an or in the direction towards an effective position (A) in the case of an accident by an inflated air bag (10), and that the air bag (10) forms a load absorbing element (2).
 4. Safety means according to claim 3, characterised in that the load absorbing sheet (3) can be moved in position to the driver's knees (4) in the case of an accident by the air bag (10) in such a way that more crash load absorbing distance is generated.
 5. Safety means according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the air bag (10) is provided with a load limitation (11).
 6. Safety means according to claim 5, characterised in that the load limitation (11) is formed by a load limiting valve (11 a) through which gas can be released from the inflating or inflated air bag (10) in dependence of a load.
 7. Safety means according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the load absorbing sheet (3) can be swivelled by a swivel lever means (6) to the driver's knees (4) into an or in the direction towards an effective position (A) in the case of an accident.
 8. Safety means according to claim 7, characterised in that the swivel lever means (6) include two or four or more swivel levers (6 a).
 9. Safety means according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the swivel lever means (6) can be operated by means of a pyrotechnically activatable and/or drivable adjustment cylinder (5).
 10. Safety means according to one of the claims 7 to 9, characterised in that at least one load absorbing element (2) together with the load absorbing sheet (3) can be swivelled in position to the driver's knees towards an effective position (A) in the case of an accident with reference to the steering (1), in such a way that more crash load absorbing distance is generated.
 11. Safety means according to claim 10, characterised in that a plurality of load absorbing elements (2) is provided.
 12. Safety means according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that each load absorbing element (2) is provided with a load limitation (11).
 13. Safety means according to claim 12, characterised in that the load limitation (11) for each load absorbing element (2) is formed by a reverse lock (8) which is designed so that in a load by the knee (4) caused in an accident a load absorbing resistance is generated.
 14. Safety means according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the load absorbing means for an impact of the driver's knees (4) is arranged at the steering (1), and that, given the case, the load absorbing sheet (3) is supported in its position adjusted towards the driver's knees (4) by at least one load absorbing element (2) at the steering (1).
 15. A safety method for a vehicle with a steering with reference to which a load absorbing means for an impact of the driver's knees is moved towards the driver's knees in the case of an accident, characterised in that a load absorbing sheet (3) is adjusted towards the driver's knees in the case of an accident.
 16. A safety method according to claim 15, characterised in that the adjusted load absorbing sheet (3) is supported by at least one load absorbing element (2) with reference to the steering (1).
 17. A safety method according to claim 15 or 16, characterised in that the load absorbing sheet (3) is adjusted by means of an inflating air bag (10).
 18. A safety method according to claim 15 or 16, characterised in that the load absorbing sheet (3) is adjusted by means of a swivel lever means (6).
 19. A safety method according to one of the claims 15, 16 or 18, characterised in that the load absorbing sheet (3) is adjusted by means of a pyrotechnically activatable and/or drivable adjustment cylinder (5). 